Tuesday, December 19, 2006

How to configure Ubuntu Linux for Hindi Keyboard?

Configuring Keyboards in Ubuntu 6.06 Linux

Strangely, Ubuntu 6.06 Live CD ROM doesn't include Hindi Keyboard by default, whereas there are many other Indian languages keyboard options like Gujrati, Panjabi etc were included. Neither it has Hindi Interface support by default. Whereas its older version 5 had inbuilt, complete Hindi support. Probably, to accommodate other packages, Hindi language packs have been removed form this distribution, and unknowingly, Hindi Keyboard had been removed too.

Now, what will you do to install Hindi Keyboard / Hindi Language packs in Ubuntu 6.06 Linux?

Language Support dialogue will appear. In the dialogue box, select Hindi and Click Apply. Make sure that your machine is connected to Internet.

Ubuntu's smart package installer will search Internet, find right packages for you and install the Language specific packages. Depending upon your connection speed, it may take a few minutes.

Ubuntu uses SCIM (Smart common Input method) tool for language keyboard support. When you install Hindi packages, it also installs SCIM modules and keyboard for Hindi. Now, Hindi will be added as keyboard which you can configure from System > Preferences > Keyboard menu or through System > Preferences > SCIM setup.

In Keyboard Layouts, simply choose / add Hindi Keyboard in addition to default US English Keyboard, and you are done.

SCIM does includes Inscript and Phonetic Hindi Keyboards, among which you can select your desired one. SCIM lets you change your RAW Keyboard layout, but about this, later.